Thames etymology

Etymology

The name "Thames" derives from the Proto-Celtic word Tamēsa, meaning "dark" or "broad".

Meaning

The name Thames refers to the dark or broad nature of the river.

Origin

Celtic Origins:

  • The Celtic tribes inhabiting Britain before the Roman conquest called the river Tamēsa. This name is believed to have originated from the Proto-Celtic root teme-, meaning "broad".

Roman Influence:

  • The Romans adopted the Celtic name and Latinized it to "Tamesis". This form of the name appears in Roman texts and maps.

Post-Roman Period:

  • After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the river's name evolved through Anglo-Saxon and Old English forms such as "Temese" and "Temes" into the modern "Thames".

Other Theories:

  • Some scholars suggest that the name may derive from the Proto-Germanic word tham, meaning "damp" or "mist".
  • Others speculate that it may be related to the Welsh word "taw", meaning "melt", referring to the river's melting of ice during the winter.

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